If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Warmth and multi purpose

I need to purchase some sort of warming system for my hammock but I also need a new sleeping bag (for when i do lame tent based camping and such). I would like to combine these two purchases into 1 somehow. I am wary to simply buy a bag and have a cold bum.

3 season most likely. Small stuff size is desired. Budget is about $100 (I was looking at Coleman's website and they seem to have some sweet deals?!)

The newer sleeping 'systems' from Big Agnes and others are an adaptation from hammocks; they aren't putting insulation in the bottom of the bag - your air mattress provides the insulation under you. You can use your TQ or UQ as a sleeping bag if you have a good insulating pad under you. Spend the money to up-grade your hang's quilt(s) and use it/them when you go to ground.

[I found the wonderful world of hammocks looking for 'outdoor sleeping quilts'. That led to JRB, then HH, then HF...]

I suppose if something could fill all requirements I could raise the budget a bit.

Any one of the TQ's made from one of the vendors on this site will do just fine for both hammock and tent. Many folks rave of the quality of Stormcrow's Burrow on hammockgear.com, or the line of quilts made by Jacks R Better for versatility and multi use (TQ, UQ, serape).

Maybe I am misreading the post, but if you're relying on just the bag to keep you warm, your butt will be cold. Laying on the bag compresses all of the loft, and leaves you with very little protection underneath. Lots of people, however, just use their ground pads in the hammock. Closed cell foam is cheap and very effective. To be honest, your bottom insulation will actually matter more in the hammock than the top. I've been on a number of trips where I just brought my UQ and didn't need any top insulation at all. I just wore long underwear or my fleece.

That being said, you can easily use a sleeping bag as your top insulation or invest in a top quilt. I still go to ground and I have top quilts that I use for both the hammock and the tent. The RAB Quantum bag at Department of Goods is within your price range (and seems like a nice down bag to boot), and it may be what you're after. There have been some threads about cutting down the back of the thing to make it a top quilt. Or if you prefer, leave it more like a bag for your ground adventures. Only downside is the height limit. I think some of the other guys have said if you're much taller than 5'10" it gets too short.

If you're looking to spend more money, several of the vendors sell excellent top quilts you can use on the ground. The generally have little ties or extra fabric you can use to tuck under your pad on the ground.

Maybe I am misreading the post, but if you're relying on just the bag to keep you warm, your butt will be cold. Laying on the bag compresses all of the loft, and leaves you with very little protection underneath. Lots of people, however, just use their ground pads in the hammock. Closed cell foam is cheap and very effective. To be honest, your bottom insulation will actually matter more in the hammock than the top. I've been on a number of trips where I just brought my UQ and didn't need any top insulation at all. I just wore long underwear or my fleece.

That being said, you can easily use a sleeping bag as your top insulation or invest in a top quilt. I still go to ground and I have top quilts that I use for both the hammock and the tent. The RAB Quantum bag at Department of Goods is within your price range (and seems like a nice down bag to boot), and it may be what you're after. There have been some threads about cutting down the back of the thing to make it a top quilt. Or if you prefer, leave it more like a bag for your ground adventures. Only downside is the height limit. I think some of the other guys have said if you're much taller than 5'10" it gets too short.

If you're looking to spend more money, several of the vendors sell excellent top quilts you can use on the ground. The generally have little ties or extra fabric you can use to tuck under your pad on the ground.

That being said, you can easily use a sleeping bag as your top insulation or invest in a top quilt. I still go to ground and I have top quilts that I use for both the hammock and the tent. The RAB Quantum bag at Department of Goods is within your price range (and seems like a nice down bag to boot), and it may be what you're after. There have been some threads about cutting down the back of the thing to make it a top quilt. Or if you prefer, leave it more like a bag for your ground adventures. Only downside is the height limit. I think some of the other guys have said if you're much taller than 5'10" it gets too short.

Note that if you cut open the back of the RAB Quantum, you may find it hard to stay underneath if you are sleeping on the ground. Its a very lightweight bag and the insulated area is pretty narrow - as a quilt, if you move around or are a side sleeper, it may not stay in position. You can see about picking up the RAB Quantum AR - it is shorter, but has a wider insulated area - plus it is cheaper. It has a hood that you maybe you can cut off and use for overfilling the rest of the bag.

The GoLite RS1+ Long is still available for $98 as of now. Its going to be heavier than the RAB, and isn't down, and only really good down to about 50 degrees, but its a quilt from the get-go and should be enough for longer and wider people.